How to Increase The Energy Efficiency of Your Pool

When it comes to big energy users in summer, your pool can easily be costing you more than you think. Even though it is a popular escape from the intense summer heat or a great space for outdoor entertainment, a pool’s maintenance and operation require quite a bit of energy and money to run.

As a leading provider of Texan energy, we pride ourselves on sharing knowledge with our customers to help them reduce their next energy bill. So in this blog, we’re going to examine some of the key techniques you can use to increase the energy efficiency for your pool.

Trap the Heat

One of the key factors in improving your pool’s energy efficiency is proper insulation. By investing in high-quality pool insulation materials and techniques, you can significantly reduce heat loss, maintain a comfortable water temperature, and lower your energy consumption and costs. Investing in pool insulation offers several long-term benefits. While it may seem costly upfront, it’s important to consider the energy savings as well as maintenance expenses. Here are some different types of insulation and their benefits.

Types of Pool Insulation

There are several methods for insulating your pool, each with its own advantages:

1. Insulating Pool Covers: These covers help retain heat by providing a barrier between the water surface and the atmosphere, minimizing evaporation and heat loss. Solar pool covers, also known as solar blankets, not only reduce heat loss but also harness the sun’s energy to warm your pool water.
2. Insulating Pool Walls and Floors: Insulating the walls and floors of your pool can prevent heat from escaping through the concrete or other construction materials. This can be done during the initial pool construction using insulated concrete forms (ICFs) or added later with rigid foam insulation boards.
3. Pipe Insulation: Insulating the pipes that transport water to and from your pool can minimize heat loss during circulation. This can be achieved by wrapping the pipes with foam insulation or installing pre-insulated pipes.
4. Insulated Pool Enclosures: Building an insulated pool enclosure, such as a greenhouse or sunroom, can help maintain a consistent temperature within the pool area, reducing the need for additional heating.

Light Up the Pool Party

Installing lighting in a pool is a modern way to add a fun, contemporary touch to a summer-night swim. But you should install LED lighting instead of standard bulbs. This can help you save on energy in the long term. Plus, when used with certain LED pool light apps, you can change the color of the lights, their brightness and how often they’re on or off. Again, this can help you save money by not having the lights turned on when you don’t need them, all the while adding a pop of color to your pool.

Cover It Up

Another great investment to make for an energy-efficient pool is a cover. These humble protectors can help reduce water evaporation, meaning you won’t have to refill your pool each week, thus saving on your water bills in the long term.

Another great thing about pool covers is that they can help trap heat, which can help create a warm and comfortable temperature for swimming in. Pool coverings can also help reduce maintenance costs, as they often prevent any leaves or other external sources of rubbish from getting into your pool. 

You’ll notice that there are several types of pool covers on the market:

1. Solar Pool Covers: Also known as solar blankets, these covers are designed to absorb and retain heat from the sun, helping to warm your pool water naturally. They also minimize evaporation, reducing the need for constant refilling and additional heating.
2. Thermal Pool Covers: These covers are made from insulating materials that help retain heat in your pool, maintaining a consistent water temperature and reducing the need for supplemental heating.
3. Automatic Pool Covers: These covers can be easily opened and closed with the push of a button, providing convenience and ensuring consistent coverage when the pool is not in use. They offer the benefits of both solar and thermal pool covers, depending on the material used.
4. Safety Pool Covers: Designed to prevent accidental falls into the pool, these covers provide an additional layer of security while also offering the energy-saving benefits of reduced evaporation and heat retention.
5. Leaf and Debris Covers: While not specifically designed for energy efficiency, these covers help keep leaves and debris out of your pool, reducing maintenance costs and preventing potential damage to your pool’s filtration system.

Go With the (Low) Flow

Your pool jets help circulate the water in the pool. But sometimes, pools are installed with jets that circulate the water at a high speed. Though this may seem like a good option in theory, it can actually add unnecessary costs to your energy and water bill. By opting for a low-flow jet instead, you can strategically place these jets within your pool to efficiently circulate water in your pool, which can result in less water loss and energy usage.

Change Your Filters

Maintaining clean and efficient filters is crucial for improving your pool’s energy efficiency. Regularly changing or cleaning your filters can optimize the performance of your pool pump and reduce energy consumption.

Pool filters play a significant role in keeping your pool water clean and clear by removing debris and contaminants. To ensure optimal performance, it’s essential to maintain your filters through regular cleaning or replacement.

Over time, filters can become clogged with debris, which restricts water flow and forces your pool pump to work harder, consuming more energy. Regular filter maintenance helps prevent clogging and keeps your pump running efficiently. 

Additionally, a clean filter reduces strain on your pool pump, potentially extending its lifespan and reducing the need for costly repairs or replacements. Properly maintained filters contribute to better water quality, reducing the need for additional chemicals and treatments.

Upgrading to a modern filtration system can provide several benefits for energy efficiency and filter longevity:

1. Reduced Backwash Frequency: Advanced filtration systems are designed to minimize the need for backwashing, which can save water and reduce the frequency of filter replacement.

    

2. Energy-Efficiency: Modern pool pumps often come with variable-speed settings, allowing you to adjust the pump’s speed based on your filtration needs. This can result in significant energy savings compared to traditional single-speed pumps.

    

3. Cartridge Filters: Cartridge filters are becoming increasingly popular due to their ease of maintenance and reduced water waste. These filters can be easily removed and cleaned, eliminating the need for backwashing and conserving water.

Harness Solar Heat

If you want a cost-effective way to turn the humble pool into a luxurious experience, then consider the installation of a solar heater for your pool. By using the sun to power your pool’s heater, you can reduce gas and electricity costs greatly. As Texas can be a sunny place for most of the year, a solar-powered pool heater is an excellent investment to make. Additionally, you can earn money back with Solar Buy Back!

Save with Energy Texas’ Help

Whether you’re moving into a newly built home or a pre-existing one, the Energy Texas team has all of your needs covered. While you work on improving your pool’s energy efficiency, you may find yourself wondering how to keep your home energy efficient too. As this summer heat continues to affect Texas, be sure to protect yourself from heat exhaustion while you’re out and about or simply spending the day by the pool. Stay cool and safe y’all!